Effects of perturbation onset and duration in pitch-shifted auditory feedback during violin performance

Pitch-shifted auditory feedback experiments involve artificially introducing pitch perturbations during sound production and presenting them via headphones. These experiments have been widely used to investigate sensorimotor control mechanisms in both speech and musical instrumental performance. Although speech studies have demonstrated robust compensatory responses regardless of the onset or duration of pitch perturbations, it remains unclear whether similar mechanisms govern instrumental performance. In this study, we investigated the effects of perturbation onset and duration on pitch compensation during violin performance, which, like speech, requires continuous and precise control of pitch. Skilled violinists performed sustained notes while pitch perturbations were introduced at randomized onsets and durations. The results showed that short-duration perturbations elicited implicit compensatory responses only when presented at note onset, with mid-note perturbations failing to induce any response. In contrast, long-duration perturbations elicited compensation regardless of onset timing. These findings suggest that, in contrast to speech, pitch compensation in violin performance is sensitive to the temporal characteristics of auditory perturbations. These results highlight that reduced pitch compensation during mid-note phases may result from a greater reliance on somatosensory over auditory feedback, providing useful insights for understanding and guiding pitch control in musical training and performance.